DNR and Van Buren County expand state park by 17 acres

The 17-acre parcel of land borders the northern boundary of the park and boasts significant natural, scenic, ecological, biological and recreational assets. Existing hiking trails are popular for bird watching and lead visitors through rare, forested dunes to breathtaking views of Lake Michigan. The trails are open to hiking year-round.

The new arrangement will place day-to-day management with the DNR.

“We’re excited to formally connect both parcels of public land through this unique partnership with the DNR,” said Richard Godfrey, chair of the Van Buren County Board of Commissioners. “Because the DNR already manages the adjoining land, we determined that establishing common management would best ensure that the fragile, critical dune land is preserved and remains accessible to the public.”

Approximately 340 feet of additional lakeshore will join seamlessly with the already existing mile of state park beach.

“This is a great opportunity to partner with Van Buren County,” said Matt Metzger, supervisor for Van Buren State Park. “We look forward to playing an active role in management of such a unique piece of land and helping make it a special place for visitors to enjoy for years to come.”

While much will remain the same, visitors can expect to see new site signage, revised hours of operation, and more consistency among land use rules and the requirement for the Recreation Passport between both parcels. Parking along Ruggles Road will now require a Recreation Passport.

For more information, contact Matt Metzger, park manager, at 269-637-2788 or MetzgerM1@Michigan.gov or John Faul, Van Buren County administrator, at 269-657-8253 or FaulJ@VBCO.org.